How to Get to Shanghai & Get around Shanghai 2024

Shanghai Train Stations

Shanghai has 4 train stations. Among all, the following two are frequently used, and Shanghai Hongqiao serves most of high speed bullet trains to/off Shanghai, such as to Beijing, Xian, Suzhou, Hangzhou... while Shanghai Railway Station runs normal trains (to Lhasa, Xining, Hohhot, Urumqi...) and a few high speed bullet trains.

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

Address: No.1500, Shengui Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 上海市闵行区申贵路1500号

Transportation: about 21 km to the Bund (30 minutes' drive); about 20 km to Shanghai Museum & Yu Garen (35 minutes’ drive); about 43 km to Shanghai Disney Resort (about 1 hour’s drive).

Shanghai Railway Station

Address: No.303, Moling Road, Jing'an District, Shangai 上海市静安区秣陵路303号

Transportation: about 5 km to the Bund (about 20 minutes’ drive); about 5 km to Shanghai Museum (about 15 minutes’ drive); about 7 km to Yuyuan Garden (about 20 minutes’ drive); about 10 km to Lujiazui (about 25 minutes’ drive).

▶Useful Links: Shanghai High Speed Trains | Shanghai Train Stations

Beijing to Shanghai by Flight

Flight Time: about 2.5 hours
Frequency: over 40 flights per day

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) have totally more than 40 direct flights to Shanghai each day. The flights take off from Beijing at about 07:00 am to nearly 22:00 and land in Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) and Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) after 2.5 hours’ fly. And, Hongqiao Airport closer to downtown has more arrival flights than Pudong Airport.

Beijing to Shanghai by Train

Train Time: about 4.5 ~ 6 hours by high speed bullet train, 15 hours by normal train
Frequency: over 40 trains (about 40 high speed bullet train & several normal trains)

A high speed bullet train from Beijing to Shanghai takes less than half a day ride, that lets many tourists choose to experience the China’s busiest high speed rail - Beijing Shanghai High Speed Railway. Every day, Beijing South Railway Station sends around 40 high speed bullet trains, most are newest Fuxing Trains (speed: 350 km/h) to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. The trains leave Beijing at about 06:20 to 19:00, and pass Tianjin, Jinan, Nanjing and other cities before arrival. Besides, Beijing Railway Station has a few normal trains (all are overnight trains) to Shanghai.

▶Useful Links: Beijing to Shanghai Flight | Beijing to Shanghai (High Speed Bullet) Train Schedule | Shanghai to China Great Walls

Best-selling Beijing Shanghai Tours:

☛ 6 Days Beijing Shanghai Tour by High Speed Train
☛ 6 Days Beijing Shanghai Highlights Tour by Flight

Guangzhou to Shanghai By Flight

Flight Time: about 2.5 hours
Frequency: over 30 flights per day

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) in Guangzhou executes more than 30 non-stop flights to Shanghai from about 06:30 in the early morning to 21:30 in the evening each day.

Guangzhou to Shanghai by Train

Flight Time: about 7 ~ 8.5 hours by high speed bullet train, 18 ~ 24.5 hours by normal train
Frequency: about 10 trains per day

There are around 5 high speed bullet trains running from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station during the day. In addition, Guangzhou Railway Station has several overnight normal trains to Shanghai South Railway Station daily with a much longer duration.

▶Useful Links: Guangzhou to Shanghai Flight | Guangzhou to Shanghai Train

Hong Kong to Shanghai by Flight

Flight Time: about 2.5 hours
Frequency: 2 flights per day

So far, there are 2 non-stop flights flying from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) every day. One leaves Hong Kong in the morning and another in the afternoon. Single-trip air journey is merely 2.5 hours.

Hong Kong to Shanghai by Train

Train Time: about 8.5 ~ 19.5 hours
Frequency: about 1 to 2 trains per day

The Shanghai-Kowloon Through Train takes nearly 19.5 hours from Shanghai to Hong Kong. But after the operation of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, a high speed bullet train from Hong Kong to Shanghai just requires 8.5 hours. That means, you can travel two international metropolises directly within one day. At present, there is one daily high speed bullet train running from Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station.

▶Useful Links: Hong Kong to Shanghai Flight | Hong Kong to Shanghai Train Schedule

Best Hong Kong Shanghai Tours:

☛ Days Hong Kong to Shanghai Megacities Fashion Tour by Bullet Train
☛ 5 Days Hong Kong Shanghai Joys Tour with Sidetrip to Suzhou

By Our Local Private Transfer

Traveling with China Discovery and taking advantage of our private transfer service is the most recommended way to get around Shanghai. On arrival, you can use our pick-up service at the airport, train station, cruise port to transfer to your hotel in downtown or directly to tourist spots. A licensed non-smoking private car will be offered during your entire tour. Thus, you won’t concern about your arrival time, luggage, because we will take care of all the details to ensure your a worry-free and efficient transfer and a high-quality tour package covering accommodation, meal, sightseeing, tour guide, etc. Contact us, if you need help and the best travel experience!

By Taxi

Getting around by taxi is also quite expedient. You can easily find a taxi at the airport, train station and most places to take you to any place you want to go. It charges by the meter as the following price table. You can also download car-hailing apps to call taxi, fast ride cars online. Be aware that you need to give a detailed address to the driver and long-distance transfer possibly costs you hundreds of RMB.

By Maglev Train

If you plan to transfer between the downtown area and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), you can take the Maglev Train to feel the world’s fastest train trip, with a top speed of 341 km/h.

Know more about Shanghai Maglev Train Map, Stations, Ticket, Schedule.

By Metro

With a total number of 20 subway lines, Shanghai has one of the most developed subway system in China. So you can take Shanghai Metro to most regions of Shanghai, such as the airports, railway stations, major attractions (People’s Square, Shanghai Museum, Nanjing Road, Tianzifang, Yu Garden, Shanghai Disney Resort, Zhujiajiao Water Town...).

Click Shanghai Metro to get detailed metro lines, stations, nearby attractions.

By Bus

City bus is a common public transport for the locals. Shanghai has already opened thousands of bus routes, which spread all over the city. For travelers, it may be an accessible way to experience local life, but it’s kind of time-wasting, crowed and inconvenient with many times transfers.

By Bike

Biking is an interesting and special way to tour the city. There are different types of bike you can rent, such as shared bikes and mountain bikes. It’s easy to find bikes in the streets of the downtown area. The most recommended biking area is in the old town of Shanghai and Former French Concession. Time and route depends on your fitness and personal reference. 3 Days Best Shanghai Tour with Half-day Biking is our most popular Shanghai biking tour packaged with customized biking adventure.

Hangzhou is described as the “Paradise on Earth” that has been long praised by scholars and artists. It has beautiful West Lake, a World Heritage property, profound tea culture and the famous Alibaba Group and many scenic sites. Therefore, travelers often visit Hangzhou from Shanghai to spend a weekend or make a relaxing side trip. Train and bus are the two main transport modes for getting from Shanghai to Hangzhou.

Shanghai to Hangzhou by High Speed Train (Best Option)

Train Time: around 1 hour
Frequency: over 150 trains per day

Most high speed trains to Hangzhou depart from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and get to Hangzhou East Railway Station, after 1 hour’s ride. Moreover, Shanghai South Railway Station delivers more than 40 normal trains to Hangzhou each day, which takes about 2 ~ 2.5 hours.

Shanghai to Hangzhou by Bus

Bus Time: about 3.5 ~ 4.5 hours

Shanghai Pudong International Airport and bus stations in Shanghai have direct buses to Hangzhou as well.

▶Useful Links: Shanghai to Hangzhou Train | Shanghai to Wuzhen Water Town

Best-selling Shanghai Hangzhou Tours:

☛ 5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Suzhou Highlights Tour
☛ 6 Days Splendid East China Tour by Bullet Train

Distance: about 430 km (267 mi)

Mount Jiuhua situated in Chizhou, Anhui Province is one of the four most sacred Buddhist Mountains in China. When you’re planning a Buddhist cultural exploration or a holy Buddhism pilgrimage tour to Mount Jiuhua, you can choose from a flight and a train.

Shanghai to Jiuhuashan by Flight

Flight Time: about 1 hour 10 minutes
Frequency: 1 flight per day

Shanghai has only 1 non-stop flight flying from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Chizhou Jiuhuashan Airport every day. After landing, you have to take another 40 minutes’ drive to Mount Jiuhua.

Shanghai to Jiuhushan by High Speed Train

Train Time: about 3.5 hours
Frequency: over 15 trains per day

Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and Shanghai Railway Station run totally more than 15 high speed bullet trains to Chizhou Railway Station. Upon arrival, 40 ~ 50 minutes’ ride to Mount Jiuhua is needed.

▶Useful Links: Shanghai to Jiuhuashan (Chizhou) Train Schedule | Shanghai to Jiuhuashan Transfer Guide

Most Popular Shanghai Jiuhuashan Tours:

☛ 4 Days Mount Jiuhua Buddhism Tour with Shanghai Essence
☛ 2 Days Mount Jiuhua Buddhism Tour